Unprecedented Rainfall Devastates Greece: A Summer of Extremes
After a summer filled with scorching heatwaves and catastrophic wildfires, Greece has been hit with a new disaster – the worst rainfall the country has seen since records began in 1930. As the country struggles to recover, the question arises: How long can consumer spending keep stocks afloat?
The Deluge: Magnesia Underwater
In a single day, the central region of Magnesia experienced 600-800 mm of rainfall, causing severe flooding. The Pineios river swelled and burst its banks, putting Larissa, the fifth-largest city in Greece, at high risk of flooding. By September 9th, Larissa had already lost nearly 25% of its crop production for the year. This once-in-a-millennium event, known as Storm Daniel, has not only wreaked havoc on the weather but also on the country’s political and economic landscape. Rising energy prices and protests from farmers due to increased production costs have only been exacerbated by the floods.
Agricultural Crisis in Larissa
The region of Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and agricultural heartland, plays a significant role in Greece’s economy. Approximately 12% of the country’s cultivated lands are located in Thessaly, with agriculture contributing 35% to the regional economy. Larissa, with its population of over 144,000, is central to this agricultural powerhouse:
- The area around Larissa produces nearly 40% of Greece’s cotton, which in turn accounts for 80% of Europe’s cotton production.
- Larissa is one of the main tobacco-producing areas in the country, making Greece a key tobacco manufacturer for the European Union.
- A variety of crops are grown in Larissa, including cereals, legumes, beets, watermelons, and melons. Unfortunately, the floods have destroyed crops such as corn, tomatoes, and apples.
- Larissa is known for producing Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products, including local cheeses, wines, spirits, and Greece’s national drink, ouzo.
The Impact by the Numbers: Storm Daniel’s Wrath
Let’s take a closer look at the statistics surrounding the Greek floods caused by Storm Daniel:
- 754 mm: The highest recorded amount of rainfall in the village of Zagora, near Mount Pelion. For comparison, Athens typically receives an average of 400 mm of rainfall in a year.
- 15: The number of deaths related to the flooding in Greece.
- Thousands: The estimated number of farm animals that drowned during the floods.
- 2 meters: The depth of the floodwaters in some areas even after the rain had stopped.
- 4 days: The duration of Volos, a coastal city, being without clean drinking water.
- 3,500: The number of people evacuated by Greece’s fire authorities since the flooding began.
The Science Behind the Rainfall: The Omega Weather System
This record-breaking rainfall was caused by a stalled low-pressure storm system known as a cut-off low that became detached from the jet stream. This phenomenon, also referred to as an omega weather system, occurs when a zone of high pressure is sandwiched between two areas of low pressure. A similar omega weather system caused heavy downpours in Spain on September 3rd and was responsible for an unseasonal heatwave in the UK. It has led to catastrophic flooding in Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
Related Stories and Further Reading:
- Why flooding is challenging to predict and prepare for. (Link)
- Google’s belief in AI’s ability to reduce flood-related deaths in 80 countries. (Link)
- Flooding’s threat to African food supplies, comparable to drought. (Link)
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